Evaluation of the Communicator

According to O’Hair & Wiemann, 2009.  As a communicator I am influenced by both cognition and behavior. Cognition refers to those thoughts which I possess about myself and others whereas behaviors refer to the verbal and non-verbal messages and it affects behavior.

In my opinion, I think all three assessments produced the same categories of results. The similarity in the results was shocking to me. The two people who evaluated me was my sister who is an hair stylist and the other one was a co-worker. However, the two do possess a clear idea of my strengths and my weaknesses. They are fully aware of my reactions to various situations. While they were completing the assessments they both agree on the same thing pertaining me and also it made so much easier for them two to provide such similar assessment.

 One difference I observed was the variance on the continuum. According to my sister’s assessment of me and assessment on the Communication Anxiety Inventory (CAI) were both on the lower side of the scale with a difference of 1. My co-worker assessment of me on the CAI was towards the higher end of the continuum when I compare my co-worker assessment to mine on the CAI there was a notable difference of 6 (Rubin, Palmgreen & Sypher, 2009).

The two insights I have gained throughout this week about communication are:

1.      Self-Presentation requires communicators to find the appropriate level of self-monitoring for the situation and the people involved in order to communicate successfully. Being aware of this on a professional and personal basis will always help me to monitor the signals from the communicators so that interest is sustained in order for the desired objectives will be achieved.

2.      Self-Disclosure refers to the amount of information one share with others. It can be considered tool for confirming our self-concept or improving or self-esteem (O’Hair Wiemann, 2009 cited Miller, Cooke, Tsang & Morgan 1992). Both on a personal level and a professional level care must be exercised in terms of the quality and quantity of information that is shared because one can lose the respect of others should the lines become blurred and that can be very dangerous.

As a teacher and a communicator, I will work hard toward the areas of strengthening my weaknesses so that I will be a better communicator.

References:

O Hair, D, Friedrich, G. W., & Dixon, L. D. (2011). Strategic communication in business and the professions, Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

Ruibin, R. B., Palmgreen., P., & Sypher, H. E. (Eds.) (2009). Communication research measures: A sourcebook. New York: Routledge